Milwaukee continues to expand its footprint in the USA with the announcement of a new vertically integrated manufacturing plant in West Bend, WI. Located 20 minutes from Milwaukee’s headquarters, this new facility will take on the manufacturing of new-to-market hand tools for Pro electricians and utility linemen.
What is Milwaukee Saying About the Expansion?
“With a focus on core users in the Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical trades, our strategy for Hand Tools from the beginning has been to disrupt the market with superior performance, quality, and user-driven feature sets. As we continue with that strategy, we are thrilled to invest in state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and a skilled labor force – right in the heart of Wisconsin – to deliver the next wave of hand tool innovation to the industry.”
—Tim Albrecht, President of Hand Tools for Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee expects the new facility to cost $26 million with construction anticipated to start in April of this year. Production is slated to start as early as the beginning of 2021.
“We will continue to invest, we will continue to grow, and we will continue to change the game. In 2020 alone, we will invest over $100 million, and create 350 jobs in the United States to diversify our operations and better serve the professional trades.”
—Steve Richman, Group President of Milwaukee Tool
State of Milwaukee Tool’s USA Manufacturing
Currently, Milwaukee has manufacturing and distribution centers in Greenwood, Olive Branch, and Jackson, MS, as well as in Mukwonago and Sun Prarie, WI. The expansion won’t stop with the West Bend hand tool plant, though. Milwaukee is also planning an eventual expansion into Cookeville, TN, for power tool manufacturing and assembly, and Sun Prarie, WI, for accessory manufacturing. The company also has a new 766,000 square-foot distribution facility scheduled to open in Olive Branch, MI.
US manufacturing and distribution has been a big part of the Milwaukee brand for some time. What started as 190,000 square feet and 300 jobs in Brookfield, WI in 2011 has now grown to 390,000 square feet and over 1,400 jobs this year. With the additional 329,000 square feet worth of expansions scheduled to take place in 2020, as well as the recent purchase of 65 acres of land in Menomonee Falls, WI, Milwaukee Tool looks to continue US manufacturing and distribution for the foreseeable future as well.
